Shake Your Schnitzel

Weekly specials at Sterles include music and more

Sterles Slovenian Country House has a new owner, but diners can rest assured that the 50-plus-year-old eatery will undergo no major changes. The filling and affordable family-style meals — soup, salad, bread, Wiener schnitzel, roast pork, smoked kielbasa, sauerkraut, potatoes, veggies, coffee, and dessert — are going nowhere.

"I bought Sterles to keep alive a Cleveland landmark — one of the many examples of what makes Cleveland Cleveland," says Rick Semersky, the institution's new caretaker.

What is new is a weekly concert series, Thursdays at Sterles, which kicked off August 23. The gatherings commence at 5:30 p.m. with happy-hour drink specials, a new lineup of draft beers, and food specials, including

"Not Your Grandma's Schnitzel" — modern takes on a comfort classic. The music gets going at 7 p.m.

"It's a way to honor and respect all that is great about Sterles and at the same time introduce it to those who have yet to experience it," adds Semersky.

Not Cool: The Hipp, a "hip" new lunch spot that opened this past spring in the Agora Theatre, has closed. Owner Jae Stulock, chef-owner of the popular food truck Umami Moto, says it just wasn't cutting the mustard.

"The Hipp was supposed to be the restaurant at the Agora, but the writing was on the wall that it would be years before that place takes off," explains Stulock. "We were supposed to be the next great lunch spot in MidTown, and it's just not sustainable. The overhead and the amount of people it took to staff it ... it wasn't even breaking even. We got out while there was still some gas in the tank."

Stulock says he'll use the downtime to make improvements to the truck and be back on the streets in spring.

Sammy's Is Back: Longtime local caterer Sammy's, once a destination restaurant in the Flats, will return to its restaurant roots on October 1, when Sammy's at Playhouse Square opens in the former Star space in the Ohio Theatre lobby. The redesign will feature new glass walls, a lobby seating area, and a 20-seat bar serving cocktails, wine, craft beer, small plates, and classic Sammy's entrées and desserts.

Sammy's at Playhouse Square will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week at 1515 Euclid Ave. Learn more at sammys.com.

Market Report:Constantino's Market, with locations in Lakewood and the Warehouse District, has opened in University Circle's Uptown neighborhood.

The freshly built 16,000-square-foot space offers grocery staples like dairy, organic produce, and fresh-baked breads and pastries, as well as a full-service deli and salad bar, house-baked pizzas, made-to-order sushi, prepared meals, and a large wine and beer selection. Mike Fadel, former chef-owner of Sage Bistro in Tremont, is the house chef.

"Every great neighborhood deserves a great market," notes Constantino's founder Costas Mavromichalis. "We've created an exceptional shopping experience — an urban market with an intimate, neighborhood feel." The new store is at 11473 Euclid Ave. Learn more at 216-721-6000 or constantinosmarket.com.

Help for Hunger: For 30 years, Lakewood Community Services Center has assisted residents with basic needs. They will hold a Got Green fundraiser on September 7 at Madison Park in Lakewood with food courtesy of chef Steve Schimoler of Crop Bistro. Guests will have an opportunity to win dinner for four at the chef's table at the Black Pig and dinner for 10 prepared in their home by chef Chris Hodgson.

"[The fundraiser] celebrates the community partnerships that make it possible for LCSC to support the 10,000 people who come to us for help each year," says executive director Trish Rooney. "Having Chef Schimoler preparing his amazing food in our community garden is a great way to get our message out."